Lawrence Frank

Lawrence Frank is the head coach for the New Jersey Nets of the NBA.NBA.com: Lawrence Frank

Despite the Nets missed the playoffs for the second-consecutive season in 2009, the Nets announced on April 29, 2009, that Frank would return as head coach for the 2009-2010 season.ESPN.com: Frank to Return as Coach

After being cut from the high school basketball team, Frank went on to play recreational ball for both the local Jewish Community Center (JCC) and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) teams. He was a player-coach on his CYO team and maintains he was careful about putting himself in the game, saying "I picked my spots...and not when the game was on the line." The New York Times: Lawrence Frank

Although he didn't play ball while in school, he served as manager for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team for the four years he attended Indiana University.InsideHoops.com: Lawrence Frank

Frank's professional career began as an assistant coach for the University of Tennessee. After 2 years in Knoxville, he got his first NBA job, as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Grizzlies. In 2004, after spending three and a half seasons as assistant coach with the Nets, he was appointed as their head coach.InsideHoops.com: Lawrence Frank

Frank was appointed interim head coach mid-season in 2004, and won his first 13 games, which was the best start ever by an NBA head coach. He was named head coach of the month four times from 2004-2007.InsideHoops.com: Lawrence Frank He led the Nets to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.Canada.com: Lawrence Frank

"“I know it sounds corny, but when you love what you do, and it's a passion, its not a job." The New York Times: Some Can, Some Can't, Some Coach (October 19, 2006)

• Mahalo's Guide to the New Jersey Nets

• Basketball-Reference.com: Coaching Record

• Head Coach Rookie Year: 2004